02.09.2010EMMY AWARD WINNER JEFF PROBST TO RETURN AS HOST AND AN EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF "SURVIVOR" FOR THE 2010-11 BROADCAST SEASON

CBS announced today a new agreement with Emmy Award-winning host Jeff Probst for the 2010-11 broadcast season. Probst, who has hosted SURVIVOR since its inception, will return as host and an executive producer for the 21st and 22nd installments of broadcast television's longest-running reality competition series.

Probst says, "I am thrilled to continue working with (the) SURVIVOR family for another year. Even in my wildest dreams, I couldn't have predicted we'd still be going strong 10 years later."

"Jeff is an amazing creative talent and an integral part of the SURVIVOR team-both on camera and, equally as important, as a producer," says Executive Producer Mark Burnett. "For 20 seasons, he has earned the trust of the audience and the respect of SURVIVOR's castaways. We are excited that he will continue with the show for another year and together our team will provide the high quality entertainment our fans have grown to expect."

"Jeff is a multi-faceted creative talent," said Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment. "On the screen he's a gifted and versatile host, and behind-the-scenes he's a smart and intuitive producer. We look forward to him snuffing out more torches and whipping up new ideas next season."

Probst won the Emmy for "Outstanding Host for a Reality Competition Series" in 2008 and 2009.

The groundbreaking reality series, which premiered in May 2000, has anchored CBS's winning Thursday lineup since February 2001. SURVIVOR won an Emmy in 2001 for "Outstanding Non-Fiction Program" (Special Class).

The series' 20th edition, SURVIVOR: HEROES VS. VILLAINS, premieres with a special two-hour episode on Thursday, Feb. 11 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). SURVIVOR: HEROES VS. VILLAINS reunites 20 of the most memorable, heroic and controversial castaways from previous SURVIVOR seasons. The series' best strategists will face off in their attempt to overcome-or embrace-the label placed upon them when they return to seek revenge or redemption, all in an effort to win the title of "Sole Survivor."

SURVIVOR is produced by SEG, Inc. Mark Burnett and Jeff Probst serve as executive producers; David Burris and Leisa Francis are co-executive producers.

I think Probst himself doesn't want to make too big of a commitment at this point. Last time he committed to two seasons also, but they were filmed back-to-back in Samoa. I think I remember reading that he wanted to do it that way to give him more flexibility for the rest of the year.